Carrying device for electric facilities

ABSTRACT

A carrying device includes a cushioning bag having two side walls pivotally coupled together for allowing the side walls to be folded toward each other and for receiving an electric facility between the side walls, and a closing device for openably closing the cushioning bag in order to stably retain the electric facility within the cushioning bag, the cushioning bag includes an air envelope for engaging with the electric facility and for cushioning and protecting the electric facility. The cushioning bag includes an outer layer and an inner layer having an outer peripheral portion secured together to form the air envelope.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective or carrying device, and more particularly to a protective or carrying device including one or more air envelopes or air bags for softly receiving electric facilities, such as portable computers, etc., and for cushioning and protecting the electric facilities, and for preventing the electric facilities from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical carrying devices have been developed for receiving and carrying electric facilities, such as portable computers, etc. and comprise a configuration similar to the typical suitcase or luggage members for accommodating the electric facilities, and for allowing the electric facilities to be easily carried by the users.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. D462,518 S to Truffier-Blanc et al. discloses one of the typical covers for portable computers and also comprises a typical suitcase or luggage configuration for receiving and carrying the electric facilities.

However, the covers have no air envelopes or air bags or air cushioning structures formed or provided therein such that the electric facilities received within the covers may not be cushioned and may not be protected and prevented from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,498 to Ho discloses another typical bag for receiving and carrying portable computers and also comprises a typical suitcase or luggage configuration for receiving and carrying the electric facilities, and one or more straps or tension force resisting members made of flexible materials further, provided and disposed in the bag for engaging with the electric facilities, and for protecting and preventing the electric facilities from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

However, the straps or tension force resisting members are disposed only on the front portion and the rear portion of the electric facilities such that the side portions and/or the upper and the lower portions of the electric facilities that are received within the bags may not be suitably protected and cushioned and such that the side portions and/or the upper and the lower portions of the electric facilities also may not be prevented from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional carrying devices for the electric facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a protective or carrying device including one or more air envelopes or air bags for softly receiving electric facilities, such as portable computers, etc., and for cushioning the electric facilities, and for preventing the electric facilities from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a carrying device comprising a cushioning bag including two side walls pivotally coupled together for allowing the side walls to be folded toward each other and for forming a chamber between the side walls of the cushioning bag and for receiving an electric facility in the chamber of the cushioning bag, and a closing device for openably closing the chamber of the cushioning bag in order to stably retain the electric facility within the cushioning bag, and the cushioning bag includes an air envelope formed therein for engaging with the electric facility and for cushioning and protecting the electric facility, and for preventing the electric facilities from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

The cushioning bag includes an outer layer and an inner layer having an outer peripheral portion secured together to form the air envelope between the outer layer and the inner layer. The cushioning bag includes at least one securing line secured between the outer layer and the inner layer for separating the air envelope into a plurality of air compartments.

The securing line of the cushioning bag is spaced from the outer peripheral portion of the cushioning bag for forming a peripheral air compartment within the outer peripheral portion of the cushioning bag. The cushioning bag includes a second securing line secured between the outer layer and the inner layer and spaced from the securing line for forming an inner air compartment in the cushioning bag.

The securing line and the second securing line are spaced away from each other for a distance shorter than a distance between the securing line and the second securing line and the outer peripheral portion of the cushioning bag for allowing the peripheral air compartment to include a volume greater than that of the inner air compartments of the cushioning bag.

The outer layer includes a thickness greater than that of the inner layer for forming a stronger outer peripheral portion for the cushioning bag. The openably closing device includes a zipper attached onto the outer peripheral portion of the cushioning bag for openably closing the chamber of the cushioning bag.

The cushioning bag includes a base wall hinged between the side walls with hinges for allowing the side walls to be folded toward each other. The air envelope of the cushioning bag includes a base air compartment formed between the hinges.

The cushioning bag includes an air nozzle for filling air into the air envelope of the cushioning bag. The air nozzle includes a mouth engaged through the cushioning bag and engaged into the air envelope of the cushioning bag.

The air nozzle includes an outer thread formed on the mouth for engaging with a cover and for detachably attaching the cover to the mouth. The air nozzle includes a slit formed in the mouth for forming a spring valve member and for controlling the air to flow through the mouth and to flow into the air envelope of the cushioning bag.

An outer casing may further be provided and selectively attached onto the cushioning bag for protecting the cushioning bag and for preventing the cushioning bag from being pricked by sharp-pointed objects. The outer casing is attached onto the cushioning bag with a hook and loop fastening device. A carrying suitcase may further be provided for selectively receiving the cushioning bag.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective or carrying device in accordance with the present invention in which the carrying device is arranged in a folded or closed position;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the protective or carrying device in which the carrying device is arranged in a unfolded or opened or working position;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the protective or carrying device;

FIGS. 4, 5 are two further partial exploded views of the carrying device;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view similar to FIG. 1 in which an outer casing of the carrying device has been removed;

FIGS. 7, 8 are cross sectional views of the carrying device taken along lines 7-7, 8-8 of FIG. 6 respectively;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the carrying device taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the operation of the protective or carrying device;

FIG. 11 is a partial exploded view illustrating the other application of the carrying device;

FIG. 12 is a further partial exploded view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating the further application of the carrying device; and

FIGS. 13, 14 are cross sectional views of the carrying device taken along lines 13-13, 14-14 of FIG. 12 respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-9, a protective or carrying device 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises an air cushioning bag 10 for accommodating or receiving and protecting and cushioning various electric facilities 80, such as portable computers 80 (FIGS. 4, 7-8, 12-14) etc., and a protective outer casing 40 (FIGS. 1-3) selectively attached or engaged or secured onto the outer portion of the cushioning bag 10 with various securing devices 41, such as hook and loop fastening or securing devices 41 for protecting the cushioning bag 10 and for preventing the cushioning bag 10 from being stabbed or pricked by such as sharp-pointed objects or materials and thus for further preventing the electric facilities 80 from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

The cushioning bag 10 includes an upper wall and a lower wall or two side walls 11, 12, and a base wall 13 pivotally coupled or hinged between the side walls 11, 12 with such as hinge lines or hinges 14 for allowing the side walls 11, 12 to be folded relative to the base wall 13 and to be folded toward each other or superposed with each other for forming a chamber 15 within or between the side walls 11, 12 of the cushioning bag 10 (FIGS. 7, 8) and for accommodating or receiving the electric facilities 80, and a fastening means or device 16, such as a zipper device 16 is provided and attached onto the outer peripheral portion 17 of the side walls 11, 12 and the base wall 13 of the cushioning bag 10 for openably closing the cushioning bag 10 or for enclosing the chamber 15 of the cushioning bag 10 and thus for stably retaining the electric facilities 80 within the cushioning bag 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the side walls 11, 12 and/or the base wall 13 of the cushioning bag 10 may be formed by an outer sheet layer 18 and an inner sheet layer 19 which have the outer peripheral portion 17 welded or secured together to form an air envelope 20 between the outer layer 18 and the inner layer 19 and thus for providing an air cushioning effect to protect the electric facilities 80. The cushioning bag 10 further includes one or more hinge lines or welding or securing lines 21 formed or secured between the outer layer 18 and the inner layer 19 for separating the air envelope 20 into a number of air compartments or bags 22, 23, 24, in which the welding lines 21 are preferably spaced away from the outer peripheral portion 17 of the cushioning bag 10 for allowing the air compartments or bags 22, 23, 24 to be communicating with each other and for forming the peripheral air compartment or bag 23 beside or within the outer peripheral portion 17 of the cushioning bag 10.

It is preferable that the welding lines 21 are spaced away from each other for a relatively shorter distance for allowing the intermediate or inner air compartments or bags 22 that are formed between the welding lines 21 to be smaller or to include a relatively smaller volume than that of the other air compartments or bags 23, 24. The distance between the end portions of the welding lines 21 and the outer peripheral portion 17 of the cushioning bag 10 is preferably greater than the distance between the welding lines 21 for allowing the peripheral air compartment or bag 23 to include a relatively greater volume than that of the air compartments or bags 22. The hinges 14 may also be the welding lines for welding or securing the outer layer 18 and the inner layer 19 together, and the distance between the hinges 14 may also preferably greater than the distance between the welding lines 21 for allowing the base air compartment or bag 24 to include a relatively greater volume than that of the inner air compartments or bags 22.

As also best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the peripheral air compartment or bag 23 and/or the base air compartment or bag 24 include a volume greater than that of the inner air compartments or bags 22 for allowing the chamber 15 to be formed or defined between the side walls 11, 12 of the cushioning bag 10. In addition, the greater peripheral air compartment or bag 23 and the greater base air compartment or bag 24 may be used to engage with the outer peripheral portion of the electric facilities 80 in order to suitably cushion and protect the electric facilities 80 and thus to prevent the electric facilities 80 from being damaged by shocks or vibrations. It is further preferable that the outer layer 18 include a thickness and/or a strength greater than that of the inner layer 19 for forming a stronger outer peripheral portion for the cushioning bag 10.

An air nozzle 30 is attached to the cushioning bag 10, such as attached to one side or one end of the base wall 13 and/or the base air compartment or bag 24 of the cushioning bag 10 and communicating with the air envelope 20 that is formed between the outer layer 18 and the inner layer 19 for selectively blowing or filling air into the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10, and the air nozzle 30 includes a tube or mouth 31 engaged through the cushioning bag 10 and engaged into the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10, and includes an outer thread 32 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the mouth 31 (FIGS. 5, 7, 8) for threading or engaging with a cover 33 and for detachably attaching the cover 33 to the mouth 31.

As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the air nozzle 30 includes a slit 34 formed in the inner portion 35 of the mouth 31 for forming a resilient or spring valve member 36 and for controlling the air to flow through the mouth 31 and then to flow into the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10 is filled with air, the air pressure in the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10 may force the valve member 36 against the mouth 31 and thus may block or close the mouth 31 and thus may prevent the air from flowing out of the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 10, when the air is blown or filled into the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10, the valve member 36 may be forced away from the mouth 31 to open the slit 34 and to allow the air to flow into the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6-8, the electric facilities 80 may be suitably and stably retained within the chamber 15 of the cushioning bag 10 and suitably surrounded by the peripheral air compartment or bag 23 and/or the base air compartment or bag 24 of the cushioning bag 10 and thus for allowing the electric facilities 80 to be suitably cushioned and protected by the air envelope 20 of the cushioning bag 10 in order to prevent the electric facilities 80 from being damaged by shocks or vibrations. As shown in FIG. 3, the cushioning bag 10 may also include various securing devices 26, such as hook and loop fastening or securing devices 26 for engaging with the securing devices 41 of the protective outer casing 40 and for selectively and detachably attaching or securing the protective outer casing 40 onto the outer portion of the cushioning bag 10 in order to protect and to prevent the cushioning bag 10 from being stabbed or pricked by such as sharp-pointed objects or materials.

As also shown in FIGS. 1-3, the protective outer casing 40 includes an upper panel and a lower panel or two side panels 42, 43 and a base panel 44 pivotally coupled or hinged between the side panels 42, 43 with such as hinge lines or hinges 45 for allowing the side panels 42, 43 to be folded relative to the base panel 44 and to be folded toward each other or superposed with each other and to be engaged onto the outer portion of the cushioning bag 10. As shown in FIG. 10, an outer carrying suitcase 47 may further be provided for selectively receiving the cushioning bag 10 for allowing the cushioning bag 10 to be suitably carried with the users. Or, the cushioning bag 10 may further include one or more handles (not shown) extended therefrom for carrying the cushioning bag 10.

As shown in FIGS. 12-14, the cushioning bag 50 may also include an upper wall and a lower wall or two side walls 51, 52, and a base wall 53 pivotally coupled or hinged between the side walls 51, 52 for allowing the side walls 51, 52 to be folded relative to the base wall 53 and to be folded toward each other or superposed with each other for forming a chamber 55 within or between the side walls 51, 52 of the cushioning bag 50 and for accommodating or receiving the electric facilities 80, and an extension flap 56 extended from the side wall 51 for closing the chamber 55 of the cushioning bag 50 with various securing devices 57, such as hook and loop fastening or securing devices 57 and thus for openably closing the cushioning bag 50 and for stably retaining the electric facilities 80 within the cushioning bag 50.

The side walls 51, 52 and/or the base wall 53 of the cushioning bag 50 may also be formed by an outer sheet layer 58 and an inner sheet layer 59 which have the outer peripheral portion 60 welded or secured together to form an air envelope 61 between the outer layer 58 and the inner layer 59 and thus for providing an air cushioning effect to protect the electric facilities 80. The cushioning bag 50 further includes one or more hinge lines or welding or securing lines 62 formed or secured between the outer layer 58 and the inner layer 59 for separating the air envelope 61 into a number of air compartments or bags 63, 64, 65 in which the welding lines 62 are preferably spaced away from the outer peripheral portion 60 of the cushioning bag 50 for allowing the air compartments or bags 63, 64, 65 to be communicating with each other.

It is preferable that the welding lines 62 are also spaced away from each other for a relatively shorter distance for allowing the intermediate or inner air compartments or bags 63 that are formed between the welding lines 62 to be smaller or to include a relatively smaller volume than that of the other air compartments or bags 64, 65. The distance between the end portions of the welding lines 62 and the outer peripheral portion 60 of the cushioning bag 50 is preferably greater than the distance between the welding lines 62 for allowing the peripheral air compartment or bag 64 to include a relatively greater volume than that of the air compartments or bags 63. The hinges 54 may also be the welding lines for welding or securing the outer layer 58 and the inner layer 59 together, and the distance between the hinges 54 may also preferably greater than the distance between the welding lines 62 for allowing the base air compartment or bag 65 to include a relatively greater volume than that of the inner air compartments or bags 63.

Accordingly, the protective or carrying device in accordance with the present invention includes one or more air envelopes or air bags for softly receiving electric facilities, such as portable computers, etc., and for cushioning the electric facilities, and for preventing the electric facilities from being damaged by shocks or vibrations.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A carrying device comprising: a cushioning bag including two side walls pivotally coupled together for allowing said side walls to be folded toward each other and for forming a chamber between said side walls of said cushioning bag and for receiving an electric facility in said chamber of said cushioning bag, and means for openably closing said chamber of said cushioning bag in order to stably retain the electric facility within said cushioning bag, and said cushioning bag including an air envelope formed therein for engaging with the electric facility and for cushioning and protecting the electric facility.
 2. The carrying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cushioning bag includes an outer layer and an inner layer having an outer peripheral portion secured together to form said air envelope between said outer layer and said inner layer.
 3. The carrying device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cushioning bag includes at least one securing line secured between said outer layer and said inner layer for separating said air envelope into a plurality of air compartments.
 4. The carrying device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one securing line of said cushioning bag is spaced from said outer peripheral portion of said cushioning bag for forming a peripheral air compartment within said outer peripheral portion of said cushioning bag.
 5. The carrying device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cushioning bag includes a second securing line secured between said outer layer and said inner layer and spaced from said at least one securing line for forming an inner air compartment in said cushioning bag.
 6. The carrying device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said at least one securing line and said second securing line are spaced away from each other for a distance shorter than a distance between said at least one securing line and said second securing line and said outer peripheral portion of said cushioning bag for allowing said peripheral air compartment to include a volume greater than that of said inner air compartments of said cushioning bag.
 7. The carrying device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said outer layer includes a thickness greater than that of said inner layer for forming a stronger outer peripheral portion for said cushioning bag.
 8. The carrying device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said openably closing means includes a zipper attached onto said outer peripheral portion of said cushioning bag for openably closing said chamber of said cushioning bag.
 9. The carrying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cushioning bag includes a base wall hinged between said side walls with hinges for allowing said side walls to be folded toward each other.
 10. The carrying device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said air envelope of said cushioning bag includes a base air compartment formed between said hinges.
 11. The carrying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cushioning bag includes an air nozzle for filling air into said air envelope of said cushioning bag.
 12. The carrying device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said air nozzle includes a mouth engaged through said cushioning bag and engaged into said air envelope of said cushioning bag.
 13. The carrying device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said air nozzle includes an outer thread formed on said mouth for engaging with a cover and for detachably attaching said cover to said mouth.
 14. The carrying device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said air nozzle includes a slit formed in said mouth for forming a spring valve member and for controlling the air to flow through said mouth and to flow into said air envelope of said cushioning bag.
 15. The carrying device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an outer casing selectively attached onto said cushioning bag for protecting said cushioning bag and for preventing said cushioning bag from being pricked by sharp-pointed objects.
 16. The carrying device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said outer casing is attached onto said cushioning bag with a hook and loop fastening device.
 17. The carrying device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a carrying suitcase for selectively receiving said cushioning bag. 